Follower block for card-index cases



L. HOFFMAN. FO LLOWER BLOCK FOR CARD INDEX CASES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. I6. I920- Patented May 9, 1922.

WITN ESSES ATT-ORNEY LOUIS HOFFMAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FOLLOWER BLOCK FOR CARD-INDEX CASES.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Louis HOFFMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Follower Block for Card-Index Cases, of which the following is a specification. 7

This invention relates to improvements in card indexes.

Objects of the invention are to provide a follower block for card index receptacles slidable along a runner bar so the cards are not mutilated, while the follower locks itself by friction when pressed in one direction, though permitting free sliding in the opposite direction.

Other objects are to provide a very strong and serviceable, yet simple, device of this character, one which is easy to manufacture, readily installed. which presents a pleasing appearance and is therefore readily salable.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification with the understanding, however that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing in the drawing, but may be changed and modified so long as such changes and modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a card index receptacle with the invention applied.

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal cross sectional view.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view.

Fig. 4: is a perspective view of the follower block shown by itself.

The numeral 5 designates the drawer of the card index, and 6 the pigeonhole or case for receiving said drawer. Upon the bottom of the drawer 5 a runner bar 7 is se cured. Said bar is preferably channel in form and has its flanges extending downwardly, being provided with a wide web upon which the cards may rest without danger of mutilation. tach end of the bar 7 has a downturned portion 8 secured by screws or the like to the bottom of the receptacle. These downturned portions or Specification of Letters Patent.

designed that Patented May 9, 1922.

Application filed October 15, 1920. Serial No. 417,408.

legs space the flanges of the channel bar from the bottom of the drawer.

Guided by and slidable along the bar 7 is a follower block preferably in the form of a sheet metal plate including a substantially rectangular flat face 9. This plate is bent as at 10 so as to form a section making an acute angle with the face 9. There is a re turn bend portion 11 provided which is substantially parallel to the section 9 but has a reduced width or height relative thereto. A slot 12 is provided at a central point of the plate 9 in the lower part thereof so that said slot borders on or adjoins the bent section 10. A similar slot 13 is provided in the return bend section 11, these two slots receiving the bar 7. The lower edges of the downturned flanges of the bar frictionally engage with the upper face of the bent section 10. The plate 9, as well as the return bend portion 11, extends at an angle somewhat out of the vertical.

The pressure of the cards tends to move the upper part of the plate 9 backwardly, whereupon the section 10 and the edges of the slots grip the bar 7. The greater the pressure upon the plate 9, the greater will be the frictional enga ementof the follower block with the bar. an the other hand, the follower block is easily moved forwardly or toward the outer end of the drawer. The bar 7 presents a flat upper face to the lower edges of the cards which facilitates their movement and prevents their being torn or bent. Besides this the bar holds the follower plate more securely than the usual wire rod or rods. A hole 9 is cut in the follower plate to permit moving the same when the box is filled or almost filled with cards. l iithout this feature it would be almost impossible to get a holdon the plate.

What is claimed is 1. A device of the character described, comprising a channel bar of flattened shape with the flanges thereof facing downwardly so as to present a smooth flat face for the lower edges of the cards, and downturned end portions for securing the bar in place and serving to elevate the bar and its flanges above the surface to which it is applied, and a follower plate slotted to receive said bar and movable along the same.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a channel bar of flattened shape with the flanges thereof facing downwardly,

and downturned end portions depending below the flanges. and having securing means to elevate the bar and its flanges above the surface to Whiolnsaid bar is applied said bar presenting a smooth flat face for the lower edges of the cards, and a follower plate having a pair or" alined slots to receive said bar andmovable along the same the portion of the follower plate located between the alined slots being adapted to be gripped by the downwardly-facing flanges of the channel bars,

3. A device of the character described comprising a channel bar of flattened shape with the flanges thereof facing downmirdly said bar presenting asmooth fiat face for the lower edges of the cards and having downturned end portions provided With securing means to elevate the bar above the surface to which it is applied, and a follower plate movable along and guided by said bar; said plate including a plane section disposed at an angle to the bar and having a slot on its lower part receiving said bar, a section bent at an angle to the plane section and disposed beneath the bar so as to engage With the longitudinal edges of the flanges of the bar, and a return bend section substantially parallel to the first named section and also provided With a slot receiving the bar, the return bend section rising above the bar a short distance as compared With the first section, both slots adjoining the bent section which extends beneath the bar.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature.

LUUIS HOFFMAN. 

